SWT Interview - Dress code?

[Railguy]

Hello, in the near future I will be having an interview for a Gateline Assistant position. Having that said, is the dress code business casual or should I wear a full suit?

 

[142094]

Always go with full suit and you can never go wrong. Turning up casual sends the wrong message.

 

[Get-Pulled-Off]

What is business casual?

ALWAYS where a suit whether you are applying to be a shelf stacker or a Managing Director. I'm always amused when somoene turns up to an interview without wearing a suit, you've practically ruled yourself out before you've even sat down.

 

[DarloRich]

Always go with full suit and you can never go wrong. Turning up casual sends the wrong message.

Agreed -Also wear a nice, sensible coordinated tie, nothing to trendy, and make sure your shoes are nice and clean and shiny, oh and have a shave!

 

[142094]

What is business casual?

I've always taken it to mean suit and shirt without a tie or jacket. Of course everyone will have their own interpretation.

 

[Get-Pulled-Off]

Of course everyone will have their own interpretation.

Exactly, which was sort of my point. I saw somebody in a football shirt once though! I'm perhaps being a little harsh on the OP as at least the question was asked before going, but it does amaze me how quite a number of people these days think that it's not important to be as well groomed and presentable as possible for an interview. All jobs, even low paid ones have such fierce competition at the moment that employers can afford to be picky.

 

[Safety365]

Hello, in the near future I will be having an interview for a Gateline Assistant position. Having that said, is the dress code business casual or should I wear a full suit?

For my SWT drivers interview I wore: shirt, tie, trousers, black shoes and navy blue woollen V-neck jumper. I'm now a trainee driver...

 

[CarterUSM]

For my SWT drivers interview I wore: shirt, tie, trousers, black shoes and navy blue woollen V-neck jumper. I'm now a trainee driver...

Nice, was it a Pringle V-neck?

 

[Bittern]

go like this:

Then you're bound to impress someone!

 

[185]

What is business casual?

ALWAYS where a suit whether you are applying to be a shelf stacker or a Managing Director. I'm always amused when somoene turns up to an interview without wearing a suit, you've practically ruled yourself out before you've even sat down.

Nah, at Virgin, you need to be wearing a blouse. With stillys.


Worked for me

 

[Safety365]

Nice, was it a Pringle V-neck?

It was from H&M

 

[Flamingo]

Suit if you have it, beg steal or borrow a blazer / sports jacket otherwise. Tie definitely, Shoes polished. Nothing too trendy / flash.

You have to look as if you are taking them as seriously as they are taking you by considering you for employment.

 

[E&W Lucas]

For my SWT drivers interview I wore: shirt, tie, trousers, black shoes and navy blue woollen V-neck jumper. I'm now a trainee driver...

Ok, it worked for you, but as general advice, please wear a suit. Even if you have to go out and get one from a charity shop, the fact that you are in a suit makes a statement in itself. For driving. you are being interviewed for a 40k ++ professional job. Look the part, and look like you are taking it seriously. A suit will not do you any harm; the fact that you haven't bothered certainly will at some operators. In other roles, you are looking to the future. Think of where you want to be, and create an impression accordingly.

When I was interviewed for my present job (as a qualified driver), two out of about a dozen candidates didn't turn up wearing a suit. Neither were amongst the four of us employed.

 

[GB]

You can pick up full suits or suit jackets from most supermarkets for little cost these days so there really is no excuse not to wear one.

 

[Stigy]

I've never worn a suit to an interview, and find that smart trousers, polished shoes, neatly pressed shirt and a tie will more than do the trick. All you're not wearing is a jacket.

 

[SS4]

Ask yourself what would make a worse impression: no jacket or huge sweat patches on your shirt?

Shirt, trousers, tie and polished shoes. The latter will go a long way to highlight attention to detail.

 

[TDK]

I've never worn a suit to an interview, and find that smart trousers, polished shoes, neatly pressed shirt and a tie will more than do the trick. All you're not wearing is a jacket.

Interestin, have you always passed all of your interviews? No suit, no job as far as I am concerned.

 

[Stigy]

Interestin, have you always passed all of your interviews? No suit, no job as far as I am concerned.

Every interview I've attended has resulted in a job. It's very naive and maybe even arrogant to believe that if you don't wear a suit to an interview you wont get a job. As long as you don't take the micky and wear jeans and a T-shirt, there are far more important things prospective employers look for, other than what the candidate is dressed like!

 

[Matt Taylor]

Granted, but in today's job market you need to do everything you can do stand out from the other candidates.

 

[myboysam]

I must admit I'm from the old school of thought and I would never dream of going into any interview without a suit on and polished shoes.

 

[jj1314]

Every interview I've attended has resulted in a job. It's very naive and maybe even arrogant to believe that if you don't wear a suit to an interview you wont get a job. As long as you don't take the micky and wear jeans and a T-shirt, there are far more important things prospective employers look for, other than what the candidate is dressed like!

Similar situation with me. I recently went for a scientific analyst post and wore a shirt, tie and trousers but no suit and got the job despite immense competition. When I asked my employer what sort of clobber I should wear in the role, he told me shirt and jeans are fine and "...had you turned up for interview in a suit, I'd have held it against you".

Not all employers insist on adhering to old-fashioned dress code - thankfully!

Granted, but in today's job market you need to do everything you can do stand out from the other candidates.

That's true, but 'standing out' and 'setting a positive impression' are not one and the same.

If you're applying for an office-based role within, say, a bank or in management, maybe a suit suggests the right attention to detail (in an arena where the suit label and colour of the buttons matters) but in most jobs I've worked in, they want people to look like they've made an effort (ie: are clean, tidy, can use an iron) but primarily have the skills and the knowledge for the position.

 

[Class2ldn]

I have never worn a suit and Im now a driver but i always look smart and like someone said its only really a jacket your missing. Sounds funny but smart hair is quite important. I always get mine cut before an interview. Just helps the overall smartness.

 

[BTB]

Everyone has their own ideas, but personally always a full suit for me.

Having employed people in the past, a suit always made people stick out - they were making an effort.

All down to individuals these days though.

 

[bnm]

Clean, unbitten nails and tidy hair also very important.

As is demeanour. Don't slouch in the seat when being interviewed. Make eye contact when answering questions, Don't fidget.

And don't b*llsh*t.

 

[BTB]

If they look at my nails in future, then I've no chance!!!!!

 

[Railguy]

Hi! Just a quick update, have been succesfull and offered a position at Guildford pending succesful medical

 

[Flamingo]

Hi! Just a quick update, have been succesfull and offered a position at Guildford pending succesful medical

Well done! Obviously a sartorial success!

 

[myboysam]

Wel done on being offered a position mate! On the dress code thing though, today was my first day as a trainee driver and during the DTM welcome brief he did say that he was impressed that we all turned up in suits rather than the 'casual' look. So it would appear that some managers definately prefer suits to the more casual look.

 

[TDK]

Similar situation with me. I recently went for a scientific analyst post and wore a shirt, tie and trousers but no suit and got the job despite immense competition. When I asked my employer what sort of clobber I should wear in the role, he told me shirt and jeans are fine and "...had you turned up for interview in a suit, I'd have held it against you".

Not all employers insist on adhering to old-fashioned dress code - thankfully!

Yes but that is not a railway job where you will be required to wear a coportae uniform normally cosisting of Shirt, tie, Jacket, Trousers etc. Wearing a suit shows the interviewer that the candidate has made an effort, as I said no suit no job as far as I am concerned.

 

[Class2ldn]

Hope to be going guildford soon although as a driver. Good luck mate